Primary diagnoses & Covid patients III

How many patients with positive tests go to hospitals outside acute trusts?

Since June 2021, NHS England collected ‘primary diagnosis’ statistics. Acute trusts give the total number of patients admitted with Covid-19. Such patients had a positive test fewer than 14 days before admission, or after admission. Acute trusts also showed how many of these patients have a primary diagnosis of Covid-19. This is the main reason for getting treatment in hospital, given on a ‘best endeavours’ basis.

We should think about limitations in these statistics.

First, the figures are only for acute trusts. These trusts have hospitals with services such as accident and emergency departments. Patients with positive tests could go to hospitals in non-acute trusts.

Second, human health is complex. Identifying a ‘primary’ diagnosis might be difficult for some patients. Having Covid-19 as well could induce or exacerbate other conditions, such as a stroke. Patients may also be suffering from post-Covid-19 syndromes, without having a current infection.

Third, hospitals may separate patients with positive tests from uninfected patients. The aim is to minimise viral spread within hospitals.

Fourth, collection began in June 2021. There can be no comparison to the winter of 2020 or other key times earlier in the pandemic.